HEROES AMONG SHADOWS, May 14th, 2024

I've chosen May 14th for the release of my first collection of short stories. Nearly all of these tales have been previously published, and there is a new story here for the first time (the story, in fact, which the cover art illustrates.)

These stories will take you to tropical islands where spears and sorcery stand against gods and demons. You will meet a girl and her troll. Journey to a shadowy past where a veteran of the American Revolutionary War confronts dark forces. Travel to strange planets far away, and experience war in a North American timeline that never was.

I could probably get the book out earlier, but first-time jitters. I want lead time if I need it. As of now, I put the book through KDP. Awaiting the print proof.

I also plan on listing through IngramSpark, so that bookstores and libraries can (or, will be more willing) to order the book.

Because of the way KDP works, the Kindle edition is already listed for pre-order!

writing update, January 2024

Last year, I tried to keep a daily writing journal. That was not a favorable experiment. Fact is, I just don't get to write each day. Things happen. I know time needs to be carved but we don't need to get into that here.

I decided this year maybe a monthly public pulse-taking would serve me better. We'll see.

I hoped to write a novel this year. But I'm ramping up with some short stories first.

Current state of the brag shelf

This month I wrote and submitted one story. I wrote half of another, but missed the open call deadline. I might finish it for another call. Or, it might go in the file for later. There are other calls (two, at least) in March I want to aim for.

Not a lot of writing, but I have been doing the business of writing. I've assembled the content of my first collection. This will be my action/adventure/fantasy tales. I'm gathering previously published stories, with a couple of brand new stories to fill out the volume. (Horror tales will come later this year, in another collection, timed for release around Halloween.)

I wrote the introduction, and the story notes. I've proofed through six of the eleven tales. I reached out to a cover artist.

And that's where I am at.

Coming soon .. soonish .. Blood & Steel

Screaming Banshee Press gave the go-ahead to share the cover of their next release, a military horror anthology; CONTACT 2: BLOOD & STEEL. Hoping to have it out late summer. I have a story under "& More" ;)

I will, of course, update when book is released and available.

Interview, Feb 28, 2023 at DMR Books

 I'm at the Independent Author Spotlight over at DMR Books today.

DMR Books Independent Author Spotlight 

HOUR OF THE ROBOT anniversary!

 

Happy one year anniversary to my first published novel,

HOUR OF THE ROBOT!

HOUR OF THE ROBOT, reviews, requests, and discussion

 

If you've purchased HOUR OF THE ROBOT, I thank you. If you've read it and left an online review, I also thank you. I know, the 'new' paradigm of reviewing books can be tedious at times. Sometimes it burns me out, too. But, if you've read HOUR OF THE ROBOT and enjoyed it, please consider dropping a quick review on Amazon or goodreads. Just a rating and a few sentences or a paragraph would be great. (I think long reviews on blogs are fine but I don't think they help when combined with other reviews on shopping/rating sites.)

Speaking of reviews, I received a truly wonderful and inspiring review from Ron Fortier, over at Pulp Fiction Reviews. In part;

McNamee clearly spins his tale from the iconic comic book mythos of the twentieth century. ...

“Hour of the Robot” is a terrific first novel and a fun read.  McNamee’s prose is succinct in its brevity detailing the action clearly throughout without wasting so much as a single word. He tells you his story without fancy trappings while at the same time drawing forth really wonderful personalities from his cast of characters. Though based on all too familiar themes, “Hour of the Robot” is really something fresh and exciting and a bravo first novel of a very skillful storyteller.  Honestly, we want more. Lots more.

As part of HOUR OF THE ROBOT promotion, I've been invited by author Dana Cameron to join her and other writers (John Goodrich, Errick Nunnally, and Zin E. Rocklyn) to discuss writing and our recent books. You can view the interview live on Dana's Author Facebook page, Wednesday, July 28th, at 7:30PM EST.

Join us!

If you can't watch live, it will be recorded and posted out to YouTube later.

more HOUR OF THE ROBOT news

Yes, I know the book won't be available until July 6th, but ramp up on pre-orders and reviews is supposed to help sales later.

And I'm bound to keep reminding the world between now and then.

For now, though, the latest updates:

The paperback edition is now also available for pre-order at Amazon.

Also, the ebook has gone up for review preview at NetGalley. If anyone out there is part of that program, we can use the review love!  Thanks!

HOUR OF THE ROBOT available for pre-order

My new novel--which is also my debut novel-- from Crossroad Press is now available for ebook pre-order. Yes, there will also be a print edition when the book is released.

Click here for the announcement (along with other books coming.)

If you prefer other ebook platforms, here is the list;

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZK6DJYJ

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hour-of-the-robot-paul-r-mcnamee/1139078420

Smashwords (will feed Apple, Overdrive, and some small sites)

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1075507

Google Play

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=p8skEAAAQBAJ

Should also reach Kobo, if it hasn't already.

The HOUR approaches

 Some upcoming publishing news.

Crossroad Press have picked up my pulp superhero novel, Hour of the Robot. It will be released in July, under their YA imprint, Mystique Press.

 While not the first novel I have written, it is the first novel I haven't trunked and it is, therefore, my debut novel!

recent read; The Writing Life: Reflections, Recollections, and a Lot of Cursing

 

The Writing Life: Reflections, Recollections, and a Lot of Cursing by Jeff Strand

Jeff Strand's journey through his life as a writer is full of anecdotes. New writers would be well served to read this book and watch for the pitfalls, and learn when to recognize your successes (they don't always show up in bright lights.)

You need not be a horror reader or writer to like this book. It is enjoyable throughout.

NECON is moving!

I suppose most people already learned this exciting news via other mediums, but in case anyone out there only goes by my blog updates;

NECON, the NorthEastern Writers Conference, has a major change coming for NECON 40, in July 2020. After holding 39 NECONs in Rhode Island, the conference is moving to Salem, MA. This also allows them to move the cap from 200 attendees to 250.

You can read all about the hows & whys here;

NECON is moving to Salem!

tinyurl.com/y5kwqwjv

What do I think?

I think it looks great!

Yes, my ride will be much shorter. Believe it or not, I'll kind of miss it. I liked getting away to Rhode Island annually. I will miss all the osprey sightings. But the new arrangements look amazing. I'm really glad there will be lots more common spaces to cluster and hang out. That was definitely a limitation of the old location.

Often during NECON at some point, people will take a break and head into Providence or other destinations, and that usually eats up a half-day. With downtown Salem so near, quick breaks can be taken to visit sites without taking a chunk out of the conference programming.

Speaking of the programming, if you didn't know, historically NECON spun out from World Fantasy Con. NECON's focus is usually the horror genre. In recent years, "horror" has been dropped from the official name (the 'H' was never included in the NECON abbreviation, anyway.) Lots of the guests write across genres. A handful or more of crime & thriller writers have been attending in recent years. The conference is more for speculative fiction now, though many of the panels are still horror oriented.

It will be a great time!

2018 writing round up

The blog has been quiet, so I thought I'd throw out a writing post wrap-up. Yes, I know it is still November but I have nothing else coming out this year.

In retrospect, it felt like a quiet year. But that was because I focused on novel writing for most of it. And, everything that came out this year had been in the pipeline since last year.

Four appearances. Turns out that is the most I've had in a single year. I'll take it.

The pulp serial, HOUR OF THE ROBOT, was delayed. Pro Se Press are hoping to get back on track. With luck, the serial will start coming out in January with the others that were announced.

It was a good--if not great--writing year. (yes, I know we still have December.) I finished two novels that had been languishing. I wrote and submitted a few short stories. I didn't get any bites but some of the stories were sent off to other slush piles that are still open.

I'm working through a short story now that will be completed and submitted by year's end. Then it's back to more chapters of the serial.

So, that's what's up with me on the writing front. I hope all you other authors are having success at either writing and/or publishing.

I hope 2019 is fruitful for us all.

River City Writers 2017 offerings

River City Writers are expanding their offerings!

I attended the WRITE BETTER FICTION workshop last November, as you might recall.

For the first half of 2017, they are offering the workshop again. They have added three seminars, too. One deals with the business side of publishing. The other covers writing for comics. And, building your novel from the ground up. I will be attending the WRITING FOR COMICS seminar. At some point, I will also attend BUSINESS OF PUBLISHING but I'll need to catch the next one.

If you're in the area, give this consideration. If not, perhaps they'll be able to expand to webinars in the near future.